Every year there is a competition in France for just about everything, from best novel to best baguette. And the 2006 winner of the best baguette in Paris can be found at:

Jean-Pierre Cohier, 270 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the 8th arrondissement
Open Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

His prize, other than the notoriety, is that his baguette (officially named “Tradition”) will be the “official baguette of the Elysee”…in other words, the President of France will be eating a Tradition a day! He also receives a cash award of 4,000 euros.

Always on the lookout for a better baguette, I can’t wait to try out a “Tradition” myself!

North African desserts — baklava and cornes de gazelles for example — have been available in North African pastry shops throughout Paris for many years. Traditionally, they have been considered a little too sweet for the French palate, drenched in honey or confectioners’ sugar or stuffed with figs and sweetened walnuts.

Lately, some of the best North African pastry shops that are located in the trendier neighborhoods (like the 11th arrondissement) have changed with the times while keeping faithful to tradition. They have become more upscale and make an effort to cater to the people living in the quartier. As a result, it is now considered “chic” to bring a box of decadent North African desserts to a dinner party. More on this dessert trend can be found in this article from the New York Times.

And here are some great North African recipes to try out at home:

Dziriate from the shop Bague de Kenza in the 11th arrondissement

Cornes de Gazelles from Patisserie Malika in the 20th arrondissement

Hazelnut Baklava from the Patisserie Malika in the 20th arrondissement

“Batofar” is a 147 foot ship in the Seine that hosts some of the most exciting alternative music parties in Paris. Great DJs and an extremely innovative environment make this a memorable way to dance away the evening. This is particularly fun in the warm summer months when you can sip your aperitif on the deck of the boat. Check their Web site for information. (In French).

Batofar
Near 11 quai Francois-Mauriac, 75013
Metro: Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand

From metro stop, take stairs down to the river.

Also at the same location (the Quai Francois-Mauriac) is La Guinguette Pirate, a great venue for French music and blues. They also have childrens’ programs. Dinner is served there, with menus between 20-30 euros.

According to a recent survey, 78% of the French population would like to see an end to smoking in public places. Health minister Xavier Bertrand would like to see a law passed in the very near future setting this ban in place. 89% of retired people are in favor of such a ban, contrary to only 66% of 15-24 year olds. 78% of people surveyed want a total ban at the workplace, 74% in restaurants and only 57% in discos and cafes. It is yet to be known whether the plan will be accepted, but if so it will completely change the cafe and restaurant scene in France (never mind the disco scene!). Stay tuned…and if you want to read more about it, here is the article from Le Figaro (in French).

In Yvelines, a suburb or Paris, you can visit the quirky “France Miniature” park. It is designed in the shape of France and displays 150 monuments, rivers, seas, mountains, railway lines on a much smaller scale. The reproductions are very faithful to reality. This is an outing that children especially would enjoy.

Open from 1 April to 5 Novembre 2006
Hours: 10am to 6pm and from 10am to 7 pm in July and August.
Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays in September and October (except during the All Saints’ Day holidays, open everyday)

France Miniature
25, rue du Mesnil (Boulevard André-Malraux)
78990 Elancourt Saint-Quentin en Yvelines

How to get there: From Gare Montparnasse, take the train to Elancourt La Verriere. Train tickets are 22 euros per person 15 and over, 17.30 euros for children 10-14 and 11.80 euros for children 4-10 years old.

Admission to the park is 15.50 euros for 15 and over, 10 euros 4-14 years.

In this LA Times article, you can read reviews on Degres de Notre Dame, Hotel de la Bretonnerie, Hotel du Dragon, Hotel du Palais Bourbon, Hotel Langlois and Hotel Mansart. Now, they range from $100 - $200 per night for a double room which might not seem “budget” to you, but considering that the average hotel room in Paris is about $200, they are a pretty good deal. The Langlois in particular gets very good reviews by its guests, however I’m not sure I like the location in the 9th arrondissement.

For years, if you wanted security when you traveled, you followed Carl Malden’s advice and got your American Express traveler’s checks. “Don’t leave home without them” he said. And for years, we didn’t. But in today’s age of ATM cards, Check Cards, Credit Cards, it seems that the traveler’s check is getting squeezed out. Many foreign businesses won’t accept them anymore, and it is becoming harder and costlier to exchange them. Check Cards, issued by American Express and Visa, seem to be the way to go in the future. For information on all these options, read this article from the Baltimore Sun.

American pastry chef Harriet Sternstein dreamt of a life in Paris, so she left everything behind in the U.S. to open a new business in Paris. Her business? A bakery for dogs called Mon Bon Chien on the Rue Mademoiselle. Originally scoffed at and thought of as too quirky for the Parisians’ taste, business is now booming thanks to word of mouth and some good publicity on TV and in print. For the Parisians, who have a penchant for all things canine, you would think this is a dream come true. The International Herald Tribune has given Sternstein more much appreciated press in this article from March 17.

Costco, the American wholesaler, has been in the fine art business since 2003. They have sold numerous paintings and sketches by various artists, including Picasso and Dali. But this time, the Picasso they sold to an unsuspecting customer turned out to be a fake, according to Picasso’s daughter who signs off on all of his works from her office in Paris. Looks like Costco is going to have to go back to selling bulk pretzels until they can straighten this mess out! Here’s the humorous article from the New York Times.

Travel agencies report a surge in summer reservations for European desitnations like Paris, Rome and London. In fact, Rome comes in at number one this year. I’m sure Paris is right behind… I found this information in an article in today’s New York Times.